Saturday, June 23, 2007

2007 NBA Mock Draft V2.0

Version 2. Less than a week away is the 2007 NBA Draft, a final mock will be delivered Wednesday and updated Thursday.

1. Portland Greg Oden C Ohio State Not so obvious choice in my opinion, I think Durant is the better fit for this team right now.

2. Seattle Kevin Durant F Texas The best player in the draft falls right into Seattle's (for now) lap. I haven't seen a player with this type of offensive arsenal since Kobe. The only downside is his strength right now and the impact it will have on his defensive ability.

3. Atlanta Al Horford F Florida When its all said and done I think they end up with Mike Conley. Whether they take him here or not remains to be seen but I can see them taking Horford then putting him in a trade.

5. Boston Corey Brewer G Florida Horford would be ideal but Brewer would immediately make Boston's starting backcourt of Rondo and Brewer one of the best defensively in the East.

6. Golden State (From Milwaukee) Yi Jianlian F China I think Chancey Billups may end up in Milwaukee so Conley is not the pick here and a trade to the Warriors is a strong possibility for Jason Richardson. Yi would like to play on the West Coast and Golden State is rumored to be high on him.

7. Minnesota Spencer Hawes C Washington The Wolves are desperate for a big man and Hawes is a perfect fit. Needs to get toughter on the defensive side but has the NBA ready offensive game to warrant the #7 pick.

8. Charlotte Joakim Noah F Florida Charlotte has a track record of taking proven NCAA talent and Noah would bring endless energy and winning attitude to a franchise in need.

9. Chicago Mike Conley PG Ohio State Chicago stocks up a very valuable trade asset in Conley and could help facilitate a trade for a number of players including Kobe, Randolph, KG. If Conley sticks around Hinrich could play SG for stretches and make Ben Gordon expendable.

10. Sacramento Jeff Green F Georgetown Conley would be #1 on the Kings wish list but instead Jeff Green one of the most versatile players in this draft falls here. The selection of Green makes the inevitable departure of Ron Artest a little easier.

11. Atlanta Javaris Crittendon PG Georgia Tech Point guard is the need so don't count out Conley wearing Hawks red somehow next season. The alternative is Crittendon a legit PG with good size and a huge upside.

12. Philadelphia Julian Wright F Kansas Philly needs help just about everywhere on the roster so best player available is the way to go here. Wright is an extremely talented kid who would've gone higher in a weaker draft.

13. New Orleans Nick Young G USC Hole at SG filled for the Hornets. Young should be able to get major minutes immediately here. Thaddeus Young should get serious consideration as well but he is not NBA ready at this point.

14. LAC Acie Law PG Texas A&M With Livingston's career in doubt a PG is the obvious choice for the Clips. Although Law is more of a combo guard he should fit nicely in the same backcourt with Sam Cassell.

15. Detroit Rodney Stuckey F E.Washington Stuckey is the pick here to Detroit. They need more athleticism and someone who can step in and score some points alongside Rip.

16. Washington Al Thornton F Florida State Thornton would enable the Wizards to trade Antawn Jamison and free up some cash to hopefully sign Arenas. Thornton is sliding a bit due to height and age concerns but he can score and proved himself in a tough conference.

17. New Jersey Jason Smith C Colorado I think Carter stays in NJ so a big man is the pick here. Smith is not a traditional big man as he is best outside the paint but NJ has Kristic coming back next season and Smith could open up some space for him.

18. Milwaukee (From Golden State) Sean Williams C (formerly of Boston College) This may be a little high for a player with this type of track record but a frontcourt of Bogut and Williams is outstanding and too hard to pass up.

19. LAL Thaddeus Young F Georgia Tech Best player available and could be used in many trade scenarios (Minnesota KG deal) as if Young stayed on more year at GT he would be top 5.

20. Miami Josh McRoberts F With Sean Williams off the board Miami needs more overall youth in the backcourt as well as in the frontcourt. The fans will hate this pick as McRoberts is widely viewed as an underachiever but he is extremely athletic and can do a lot things well. Just don't ask him to lead the team and score 20 a night.

21. Philadelphia Morris Almond G Rice With their second pick Philly takes a lights out scorer in Almond. If Morris is not the pick I could see Marco Belinelli or Rudy Fernandez going here instead.

22. Charlotte Rudy Fernandez SG Spain The best SG in Europe. Tremendous athlete as well, could play along Adam Morrison for some defensive mismatches.

23. New York Daequan Cook G Ohio State NY is rumored to have a promise in place here. With a solid frontcourt, Cook could add immediate guard help to a weak team. If Sean Williams is on the board could go here and Channing Frye or David Lee moved.

24. PhoenixMarco Belinelli SG Italy Even with Barbosa, Belinnelli would be a great fit here for Phoenix. Belinelli is an open court, fast break type and may be able to play a little PG as well.

25. Utah Nick Fazekas F Nevada Utah could use a big man but none should be available worth taking here. Another shooter in Fazekas would improve an already excellent perimeter offense.

26. Houston Aaron Affalo SG UCLA Houston's G situation isn't great and Affalo hopefully will learn to play the PG as well. Houston is trying to move down and Luther Head is available, Affalo fills in right away.

27. DetroitPetteri Kopenen With Detroit's second pick Kopenen fills a potential need at PG. They could also go with Jared Dudley who is a player who can play both SG/SF. He carried Boston College all season long with his scoring, rebounding and intensity.

28. San Antonio Tiago Splitter F Brazil Splitter won't play in the NBA next season but should be pick in the first round regardless. He is a tough defensive minded center who can contribute right away. His offensive game is a work in progress.

29. Phoenix Derrick Byars F Vanderbilt Solid 4-year player who played SG/SF and even flashes at PG. Really stood out in the NCAA tourney during Vandy's run. He slips due to lack of upside GM's desperately covet more than actual proven talent.

30. Philadelphia Glen Davis F LSU Philly's third pick may turn out to be a steal in terms of value since he can match up against athletic PF's and even C's. Davis should be a serviceable big man right away due to his strength and decent offensive game but his weight needs to stay in control so there is risk involved. I could see Alondo Tucker fitting in here as well.Second round projections (In order of projected draft position)